United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Van Persie will not play in any game for a while, ruling his Dutch compatriot out of their opening game of the Premier League season against Swansea City at Old Trafford on August 16.

But once Van Persie returns to full fitness, he will be determined to establish himself in Van Gaal’s starting line-up and start banging in the goals.

Last season the former Arsenal captain, who joined United from the Gunners in the summer of 2012 for a transfer fee of £24 million, struggled with injuries and did not have a great time under then manager David Moyes, as the Manchester outfit finished as low as seventh in the league table.

This term it promises to be different under former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Van Gaal, as the three-time European champions have renewed optimism and hope.

Van Persie will have to be at the top of his game for United if they are to win the Premier League. The former Feyenoord star will be the team’s number one centre-forward and will have to hit top form as soon as he is fit to start a competitive match.

Subhankar Mondal

A football journalist based in Wakefield, Subhankar Mondal has previously worked for Goal.com International and Skysports.com, and has had his sports articles published in The Guardian and The Observer. He has also been on the BBC in the past and his name once found its way to the pages of the World Soccer magazine. He was recently cited in a major Louis van Gaal biography.